Key Points
- Victoria's tough new bail laws make obtaining bail more difficult and introduce the offence of 'committing an indictable offence while on bail'.
- State Premier Jacinta Allan acknowledged the impact of crime on the Indian community.
- The recorded offence rate in Victoria increased by 13.2 per cent to 8,691.6 per 100,000 people in the year to December 2024, the Crime Statistics Agency said.
Poonam Singh, a bus driver, describes herself as a victim of youth crime.
"I was driving a bus during the COVID lockdown, working my regular night shift, when a group of young people stopped me, boarded the bus and attacked me," Singh recalled.
"I could not get out of bed for months after that incident. What the police told me at the time was that those kids were already on parole."
Melbourne-based Poonam Singh works in the public transport industry as a bus driver. Credit: Supplied by Poonam Singh
"When someone repeatedly commits offences, it's no longer a mistake; it's an intention to harm the vulnerable," she said.
"Even though the incident happened five years ago, I still feel a chill. It doesn’t feel safe at all — this isn’t the Australia I knew when I arrived almost 20 years ago."
Security guards seen in Melbourne. (Representative image) Source: AAP / CON CHRONIS/AAPIMAGE
"The Indian community has been affected by crime, and we are committed to taking action," she said.
Nagesh Joshi, who runs a West Melbourne senior citizen group, praised the premier for recognising crime's impact on the community.
Nagesh Joshi runs a senior citizen group in West Melbourne. Credit: Supplied by Nagesh Joshi
"Crimes are on the rise in the west ... Criminals including juveniles commit offences knowing that they will be let go with just a simple warning," he added.
According to Indians are the fifth most common ancestry in Melbourne's West, following Australians and the English.
On the other hand, Vasan Srinivasan, President of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV), argues the premier’s comments are an effort woo the Indian community.
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"We all have one goal which is safety for all and also to prevent children and young people from engaging in criminal activities in the first place," he said.
"It's not only the Indian community, but the entire Victorian community deserves to feel safe and follow the law."
'Toughest bail laws in Australia'
Victoria's new bail legislation has passed both houses of parliament, according to the issued Friday.
“I have listened to victims of crime and Victorians, and I have acted. These are the toughest bail laws in the country – putting community safety above all and delivering consequences for those who break the law,” Allan said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan looks at a display of machete’s during an announcement at Victoria Police Headquarters in Melbourne, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP / JAMES ROSS/AAPIMAGE
The second Tough Bail Bill is set to be introduced mid-year, bringing a stricter bail test for serious and repeat offenders.
The reforms have received a mixed response, with them as rushed and reactionary, potentially harming vulnerable groups.
'Careful approach needed'
Pallini Rudra, a Melbourne-based legal expert, emphasised that while stricter laws are necessary to curb rising crime, they should not be implemented hastily.
"We can't create laws in just 10 days. The government must consider prison and court infrastructure to ensure proper implementation. Rushed decisions could lead to later withdrawals, which would undermine their effectiveness," Rudra said.
Pallini Rudra, a Melbourne-based legal expert. Credit: Supplied by Pallini Rudra
"It's also essential to ensure we’re not unfairly targeting vulnerable groups. We need a deeper understanding of the root causes behind these incidents — whether it's poverty, drug use or mental health issues," she said.
Vasan also stressed that the implementation of such laws should be approached carefully to avoid them becoming "draconian".
Vasan Srinivasan, President of Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV). Credit: Supplied by Vasan
Singh shares similar views on guiding the state's young population toward productive employment.
"I have been mentoring many young women to join the public transport industry, and they often express safety concerns, which is a pressing issue right now," Singh said.
"However, I believe that with the right guidance, these youngsters can build better lives and secure a brighter future."
Criminal incidents on the rise in Victoria in the last 12 months
According to the , the rate of recorded offences in the state increased, up 13.2 per cent to 8,691.6 per 100,000 Victorians in the last 12 months leading up to December 2024.,
The agency said the main drivers of the increase were 'theft' offences, which were up 51,248 to 225,958 offences and 'steal from motor vehicle' offences, which were up 18,929 to 75,731 offences in the last 12 months.
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